1. About Ann
Book shepherd, author, editor,
illustrator, composer
◦ A professional writer since 1981
◦ Owned award-winning marketing firm, vIDEAn Unlimited, LLC, since 1996
◦ Editor: corporate, publishing house, and 150+ client books
◦ Author: Rhythms & Muse, Song of the Ocarina, Enchanted Faerie Portals
◦ Co-owner Absolutely Wild! Enchanted Faerie Portals & Other Whimsy—
inspired by Fae characters in Song of the Ocarina
Other career highlights:
◦ 2007 – Selected by peers for the Public Relations Society of America's top honor:
the PERCY Award
◦ 2005 – Selected by national panel for Crown Jewel Award: top U.S. home-based business
◦ 2004 – Served as catalyst to reintroduce white rhinos to the Phoenix Zoo.
◦ 1996 – Enticed 15,000 extras to Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ, to film football movie
scenes for Jerry Maguire

2. EDITING SCHMEDITING!
WHO NEEDS IT?
YOU DO. An editor’s secrets
to to edit manuscripts that sing.
Ann Narcisian Videan
ANVidean.com
May 31, 2023

3. Today’s
Topics
◦ How to choose an editor
◦ Prep your manuscript (MS)
◦ Know your tools
◦ Self-editing tips
◦ Edits for writing that compels
For both
fiction and
nonfiction
authors

4. Readers
 Several fellow authors/
editors (beta readers)
 A critique partner or group
 A co-worker in your marketing
department
 Not solely your mother or good friends,
even if they are avid readers.
Pro
 Professional editor
(content/line edits)
You cannot
edit your own
writing. No
exceptions!
Your
manuscript
needs fresh
eyes!
No self-
editing

5. Questions to ask about the process.
 How does the editing process work?
 Will you do a sample edit for me?
 Are all edits to be
taken as hard rules?
Ask about
key items up
front.
Find an
Editor

6.  More questions to ask about the
process.
 How long does it take?
 How do you charge? What can
I expect to pay for my book?
 Should I expect an editor to do
other work for me, like formatting?
Ask about
key items up
front.
Find an
Editor

7.  Questions to ask about the editor.
 Do you do content or line editing?
 What style manual do you follow?
 Will you read my manuscript (MS)
more than once?
 Will you give suggestions
to improve my writing?
Ask what an
editor will do
for you.
Find an
Editor

8.  Questions to
ask about
the author’s role.
 How do I fit into
the process?
 What writing/tech tools do I need to
know to make the process easier?
 Who’s ultimately responsible for the
quality of my MS?
 How do I best format my MS for an
editor?
What does
the editor
expect of
you?
Find an
Editor

9.  Manuscript formatting standards:
 Microsoft Word document
 Letter-size (8.5"x11")
 1" margins
 .5” indent (using the Ruler, not tabs or
spaces)
 Fiction: Typically uses a first-line indent
with no extra space between
paragraphs
 Nonfiction: Typically uses no indent,
with extra space between paragraphs
 Times New Roman, 12 pt. font
 Double spaced
 One space after a period
 Include book title and author name in top
header or on first page
 Add page numbers
Set up your
manuscript
like a
professional.
Standard
MS Prep

10. Leverage MS
Word
Know your tools, so you can
concentrate on content, not tech (and
make your editor happy)
◦ The menu bar and ruler
◦ Search, and find and replace
◦ Track Changes
MS Word
tips to help
ease editing
and
formatting

13. Track Changes tutorials (see handout)
MS Word tips
for writers

14. MS Word
Keyboard
Shortcuts
◦ Cntrl+B: bold
◦ Cntrl+I: italic
◦ Cntrl+S: save
◦ Cntrl+E: center text
◦ Cntrl+L: left align
◦ Cntrl+R: right align
◦ Cntrl+1: single spacing
◦ Cntrl+5: 1.5 spacing
◦ Cntrl+2: double spacing
◦ Cntrl+J: justify
◦ Cntrl+M: indent
◦ Cntrl+Shift+M: unindent
◦ Cntrl+T: hanging indent
◦ Cntrl+Shift+T: un-hang indent
Easy
formatting.
See links on
handout for
more.

15.  Read in small chunks
 Edit for one thing at a time:
 Consistent headers
 Specific trouble words
 Spelling (read backward)
 Read out loud
(computer) for:
 Flow
 Dialog true to each
character unique,
and never trite or linear
Make editing
easy on
yourself by
doing one
step at a
time.
Self-
Editing

16.  Search for:
 Double spaces after periods
 “As if” and “seem”
 Sentences starting with “And”/“But”
 “That,” “which” hunt
 “Then”
 Inactive verbs
 Homework:
 Search, especially for “is,”
“was,” “had,” “been,”
and other “to be” verbs.
 If you have more than five such
words on a page, rewrite in a more
active voice.
Use your
word
processor’s
global search
and replace
function to
look for
issues.
Homework

17. Active
Verbiage
◦ Use active verbs
◦ Not “to be” verbs (was, had, be, +)
◦ Active voice
◦ Not passive voice
Word choice
subliminally
affects readers.
They may not
even know why
they love or
hate a story, but
it’s often
because of
active verbiage
choices.

18. Active
Verbs
◦ Inactive/"to be" verbs =
◦ is, was, has, have, be, been
◦ Active verbs:
◦ cheers, pray, binge,
stumbles, stared
Use active
verbs to
create a
mental
picture

19. Passive voice uses inactive
verbs often followed by words ending
in “-ed” or “-ing”
◦ Passive voice
◦ is cheering, are praying,
have binged
◦ Active voice
◦ cheers, prays, binged
We often use
passive voice
when we speak,
but it should
not be in our
writing, except
in dialog.
Active
Voice

20. ◦ Passive:
They are misusing the forbidden
spells and have undermined
the elemental structure of
both realms.
◦ Active:
Their misuse of the
forbidden spells
undermined the elemental
structure of both realms.
In active
voice, you
start your
sentences
with the
subject and
use an active
verb to
describe what
the subject
does.
Example

21. When something happens, characters react in
this order:
◦ Emotion
◦ “Oh, darn!” or teeth gnashing
◦ Review, logic, and reason
◦ What just happened? Was I at fault?
Is anyone hurt?
◦ Anticipation
◦ What’s going to happen. What do I do?
◦ Choice
◦ What steps do I take? Who do I call?
• Emotion
• Review, logic,
and reason
• Anticipation
• Choice
*http://jimbutcher.li
vejournal.com
Emotional/
Sequential
Reaction*

22. We covered:
◦ How to choose an editor
◦ Prep your MS
◦ Know your tools
◦ Issues to watch for
◦ Edits that lead to compelling writing
Wrap up

23. ANN N. VIDEAN
Accessible writing support...
Words.Music.Village website
http://ANVidean.com
ann@annvidean.com